In the weeks leading up to the conclusion of the WPL home and away season, The Corner Flag is taking the opportunity to let you decide who makes up the Team of the Season for 2014. Each week from now we’ll put up a poll in which you can vote for who you think should make the cut as the best performers of the season to date.
For this first week of voting, we present to you the finest goalkeepers in the league. These are the girls who at times have single-handedly kept their teammates in a contest, with that special blend of concentration, athleticism and downright crazy. A good goalie is agile, strong, quick to react and most importantly reliable as the buck stops with them as the last line of defence.
Again don’t forget to place your votes via the poll at the bottom, and please share to ensure the goalkeeper you think stood out most gets the nod!
Anna Lanning (Boroondara Eagles)
The Boroondara custodian has had a super year in goals, contributing eight clean sheets in her side’s 19 games. She’s the shot-stopper with the most Team of the Week selections in 2014 and a large reason why the Eagles’ defence is the third tightest in the league with 22 goals conceded (even when taking into account the fact she conceded a whopping 10 goals in two games).
Starting XI selections: 4 (Rd 2, 11, 14, 15)
Bench selections: 1 (Rd 4)
***
Kelsey Quinn (Heidelberg United)
The American has played her way through seven clean sheets with Heidelberg this season, conceding 11 goals in her 13 games at the club, and that’s with four flying past her against South Melbourne in Round 15. Her wonderful distribution often helps start attacks from the back.
Starting XI selections: 2 (Rd 8, 10)
Bench selections: 0
***
Shanel Camilleri (South Melbourne)
The South Melbourne keeper ousted Beth Mason-Jones in goals midway though the season, forcing the latter to move onto pastures new at Bundoora. The young keeper may have shown moments of inexperience throughout the campaign, but those have been coupled with flashes of brilliance, proving her worth in a stringent South Melbourne defence.
No TOTW appearances
***
Jaime Brown (FFV Under 17s)
Splitting keeping duties fairly evenly with Erin Hudson, Jaime Brown has perhaps just edged her counterpart this season, with some fairly impressive outings. Comfortable with the ball at her feet and an agile shot stopper, the young goalkeeper has made two appearances on subs bench for the Team of the Week.
Starting XI selections: 0
Bench selections: 2 (Rd 3, 16)
***
Frances Land (FC Bulleen Lions)
Making three consecutive appearances in the Team of the Week, Land earns a nomination for Team of the Year honours after ousting W-League keeper Melissa Maizels for a starting spot in an impressive Bulleen outfit. Incredibly consistent – conceding only a goal or less in 11 of her 14 appearances – the Kiwi has kept three clean sheets for the season.
Starting XI selections: 1 (Rd 12)
Bench selections: 2 (Rd 10, 11)
***
Marika Kamoda (Monbulk Rangers)
Has been serviceable between the sticks for Monbulk, with her performances especially good in the latter stages of the season, which has coincided with the Ranger’s improved league form. A good shot-stopper, she’s done her absolute best in a tough season for the promoted club.
Starting XI selections: 1 (Rd 17)
Bench selections: 1 (Rd 1)
***
Diarna Cartwright (Cairnlea FC)
Perhaps a stranger choice, given that Cairnlea have conceded the most goals in the league, but young goalie Diarna Cartwright has done her stocks no harm after a decent season. Sure, there was the more than occasional blowout result, but she also proved a potential match winner, with standout games against Boroondara in Round 5 and against Monbulk in Round 15.
Starting XI selections: 2 (Rd 5, 13)
Bench selections: 0
***
Laura Croft (Casey Comets)
Another very interesting option as Casey captain Laura Croft finds herself in with a chance of Team of the Year honours, just perhaps not in the position she expected to find herself. Stepping in to fill the void Steph Dwyer left between the sticks, the midfielder turn centre-back turn keeper has been in scintillating form between the sticks, capped off with a couple of spot on the Team of the Week pine in the past month.
Starting XI selections: 1* (Rd 11)
Bench selections: 2 (Rd 14, 17)
*as outfielder
Others who’ve made TOTW appearances
- Steph Dwyer (Casey Comets, 2 starting XI appearances)
- Lucy Kapusta (Sandringham, 1 starting XI appearance)
- Melissa Barbieri (Box Hill, 1 starting XI appearance)
- Alex Pocklington (Ashburton Women’s, 1 starting XI appearance)
- Ingrid Philippe (Ashburton Women’s, 1 starting XI appearance)
- Alex Cuss (Sandringham, 1 sub appearance)
- Erin Hudson (FFV U/17s, 1 sub appearance)